Events
Palm Springs has many events that come around every year at the same time. Here is a list of most of them. Check the websites to confirm exact dates. For a daily calendar of local events, check here.
January
Palm Springs International Film Festival
January 6-17, 2022 – A star-studded award gala kicks off a week of new film screenings and events. Directors and stars host many Q&A panels after the movies.
February
Tour de Palm Springs
February 12, 2022 – A charity bike ride with class and distance categories for every skill level.
Art Palm Springs
TBS – Mid-February 2022 – A weekend-long contemporary art show at the Palm Springs Convention center, with a VIP gala on Thursday night.
Modernism Week
February 17-27, 2022 – A celebration of Palm Springs rich mid-century architecture and all things “modern”. Featuring home tours, parties, and a great three hour city tour on a double decker bus.
Riverside County Fair and Date Festival
TBS – Mid-February 2022 – A large county fair with rides and food booths, with an emphasis on the local date harvest. If you’ve ever had a hankering to try deep fried foods on a stick, this is your chance!
Int'l Bear Convergence
TBS – late February 2022 – A four day event for gay bears and admirers, with pool parties, pop-up shops, and concerts.
McCormick's Collector Car Auction
TBS – late February 2022 – Held twice a year, in February and November, a weekend celebration of amazing cars. Take one home!
Greek Festival
TBS – late February 2022 – Weekend event in Palm Desert, with music, food, and dancing,
March
El Paseo Fashion Week
March 19-25, 2022 – A fashion show that highlights avant-garde designs and top designers from the fashion world. With exclusive trunk shows, runway events and parties.
Palm Desert Food and Wine Festival
TBS – late March 2022 – Tasting event with more than 60 restaurants and 40 wineries, breweries and distilleries. Music, classes, and more.
April
Indian Wells Arts Festival
TBS – Early April 2022 – Jazz music, cocktails, and the works of over 200 artists. At the Indian Wells Tennis Gardens.
Opera in the Park
TBS – Early April 2022 – A free Sunday event with some great up-and-coming opera singers. It’s often nice weather for a day in the park, but bring some shade or purchase a VIP ticket.
Coachella Music Festival
April 15-17 & 22-24, 2022 – Huge two-weekend music and art festival in Indio, with events and parties in the area in between weekends.
Stagecoach
April 29 – May 1, 2022 – Like Coachella Music Festival but with country acts, mainstream or relatively unknown ranging from folk, mainstream country, bluegrass, roots rock, and alternative country.
White Party
April 29 – May 1, 2022 – Weekend-long gay dance party with multiple events, pool parties, and celebrity headliners.
May
Palm Springs Restaurant Week
TBS – Usually starts late May into June – Dozens of restaurants in the Coachella Valley participate with special 3 course pre-fixe menus. A great time to try out a new restaurant.
June
ShortFest Film Festival
June 22-28, 2021 – International festival of short films with screenings, panels, and Q&A’s by the actors and directors.
August
Splash House
August 13-15 and 20-22, 2021 – Hosted by multiple hotels, poolside parties with DJ’s.
September
The Dinah
September 29 – October 3, 2021 – Five-day weekend getaway and music festival catering to the lesbian community. Featuring pool parties, night entertainment, live concerts, comedy shows, and sports.
October
BNP Paribas Tennis Tournament
October 2021, dates TBA – Acclaimed tennis tournament with celebrity sports figures in Indian Wells. The tournament is a Masters 1000 event on the men’s tour and is a Premier Mandatory event on the women’s tour.
Hwy 62 Open Studio Art Tours
October 16-17 & 23-24, 2021 – Two weekends of open homes and studios in the hi-desert from Morongo Valley to Twentynine Palms. If you like the high desert area, this is a great chance to meet some locals and see some great (and not so great) art.
Modernism Fall Preview
October 14-17, 2021 – A scaled down version of the big February Modernism Week event. A good chance to do the bus tours and some home tours and parties without the crowds.
November
Palm Springs Gay Pride
November 6-7, 2021 – A celebration of the LGBT community featuring a free festival downtown with booths, food, and entertainment. Parade is Sunday down Palm Canyon. Everybody welcome.
McCormick's Collector Car Auction
November 19-21 2021 – Held twice a year in February and November, a weekend celebration of amazing cars. Take one home!
December
Palm Springs Festival of Lights
TBS – Early December 2021 – Fun and very popular Christmas parade through downtown Palm Springs. Some restaurants offer premium seating on their patios.
International Tamale Festival
TBS – Early December 2021 – An outdoor festival in Indio celebrating tamales. From sweet to savory. Look for the booths with the longest lines to know which are best.
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